I want to build a mini-ITX computer, using one of the VIA EPIA motherboards.

I found some info here - http://www.epiacenter.com/

I see nano-ITX stuff is on the verge of being released too, but it's going to be a bit pricey for a while and I'm trying to build this at a reasonable cost.

I'm looking to build a mini PC that I can use in my kitchen. Ideally, it will have bluetooth (for a cordless keyboard/mouse), a video card with DVI out (for connection to a Dell LCD TV), 802.11g wireless to hookup to my home network. I also would like to be able to run iTunes, so I would like to run Windows Media Center Edition, I think. However, I've read of the iTunes protocol being hacked (the file sharing), so there may be linux apps which can do this. Finally, I want to run DVArchive, which means I need Java. A TV tuner card isn't really necessary, as I'll use the LCD TV for coax input and I don't really need to use this device to run MythTV or anything like that.

- Can people recommend any sites with how-tos or faqs on building this type of system?
- Any recommendations on parts?
- How about software? How do you go about getting Windows MCE?

I'll just answer this question for now:
Newegg: XP Media Center 2005 - OEM $139.95 shipped.
You might be able to find it a few dollars cheaper elsewhere though.

it sounds pretty cool . I think I might be interested in building one also

I found one link so far but haven't poked around yet..

http://www.mini-itx.com/

Anyone know what the advantage of MCE is over Xp Home or Xp Pro? Does it have lower memory usage, or anything like that? I presume the mini-ITX system I build might only have 256 MB of RAM, and a lot of the OS features aren't necessary. I could manually try to turn off lots of the programs in the Administrator panels, but it would be nice to have an OS that is lean from the start.

But $135 for MCE is more than I'm willing to pay. It seems likely there's other ways to get it, though, so I'm wondering if it's worth it or if Home or Pro will be good enough.

MCE has the built in htpc software - tv recording, watching, etc. Home and Pro don't have that, so to have a nice interface you'd have to buy something else (meedio, beyond tv, etc)

I am building a full scale (Full factor, Standard ATX) MCE 2005 COmputer for my Family room to connect to Philips 42" Plasma.

I like this mini-ITX but it is too small for me and no upgrade options
Ahanix

I also recommend that you see this forums regularly

TGB
XP MCE

Good luck and let me know how it goes...

NewEgg has Turkey Blow out MCE 2005 for $125.95 cheapest I have seen

Right, I know about those - but as I said above I'm using the LCD TV for my TV tuner, and I don't even want/need the TV recording features. I've got a replayTV in another room, and it does my recording for me. I want to know if MCE has any other features, beyond the TV record/watch, that are useful, or if its footprint is significantly different from XP Home/Pro (to make it easier to use on a mini-ITX system with a slow CPU, less memory, etc).

Thanks for the links. You're right, that Ahanix case is sweet. I'm not really concerned about upgrade options, I just want to have the small size and low power consumption. That's the reason I'm going for the mini-ITX mainly - the low power consumption for a computer that will pretty much be always on.